We've all been there. The shower drain is clogged, or your water heater is making unnatural and disturbing noises. We hear you... that's why we decided to answer 10 of the most common household plumbing questions!
1. What shouldn't go into my garbage disposal
2. Why is my drain clogged?
3. Why does my toilet keep running?
4. Why does our hot water run out so quickly?
5. What is that annoying white residue around my faucets?
6. Is there really a difference between hard and soft water?
7. Why did my water bill suddenly increase?
8. What to do if I have a serious leak?
9. Is it okay to use chemical drain cleaners?
10. Why is our water heater talking to us?
What Not to Throw in a Garbage Disposer – We've all had that moment when the garbage disposal is busy spinning and the water starts to back up. The first fleeting, panicked thought is probably about the potential mess! Garbage disposal replacements aren't always cheap though:
Bones – Pretty clean. They're hard. The noise itself should give away obvious problems.
Celery – Too much fiber… same with corn husks. Metamucil isn't great either.
Coffee grounds – They're not as easy to rinse out as you might think – they tend to
create a semi-permanent mushy mess and build up over time.
Eggshells – While the eggshells themselves may sharpen the blades, the lining or membrane of the eggshells can entangle the blades and create an alarming mess!
Fruit pits – If you can't cut through them with your knife with all your might, neither can your garbage disposal blades – no matter how awesome you think they are.
Grease – Your garbage disposal can stand up to a grease onslaught… your pipes? Not so much.
Pasta/rice – Mushy, right? Unfortunately, while they're easy to cut through, they swell; even when fully cooked. These will clog your drain and no one cares.
Potato Peelings – Some potato peelings may look harmless, but they will stick to the sides of your garbage disposal/pipes for much longer than you think. It's not a good combination.
Why My Drain Clogs – Drains can be fickle. Grease residue and certain thick shampoos/conditioners/soaps can wreak havoc on drains, and when you add a wad of "cousin" hair to the mix, you've created a perfect storm. If it's your kitchen sink that's causing the problem… read above.
Why Does My Toilet Keep Running? – "Because it's waiting for someone to catch it!" But most of the time it's because the toilet lid isn't sealing properly. If it doesn't, the tank will never hold enough water and it will drip and drip and drive you crazy.
Why Our Hot Water Uses Up So Fast: Do you have teenagers? If so, that's why. If not, it could be because you have an electric water heater, which contains two heating elements, one on the top and one on the bottom. One or both of them could stop working at any time. If this happens, you'll only get hot water for short periods of time, or sadly, no hot water at all. Another problem could be the "reset button." Most water heaters have a reset button on the bottom, and if it's somehow tripped, and resetting it doesn't help, then there's a good chance a bigger problem is going on.
What's that nasty white residue around my faucets? - If you live in a town with hard water, there are likely mineral deposits in places where water evaporates-around faucets, in the refrigerator water distribution tray, and so on. If they bother you, you can soak the affected area in vinegar overnight, then have your child gently scrub it in the morning. If you're really annoyed by this predicament, you can certainly call us to discuss some of the water softening systems that can be installed to restore your home to full sparkling harmony.
Is there really a difference between hard and soft water? -Yes, there is. Hard water contains a lot of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, while soft water is usually treated so that the only ions are sodium. Rainwater starts out as soft water, but as it flows into our water sources, it absorbs minerals. The refreshing, clean taste of hard water is often preferred over the salty taste of soft water. However, hard water does have some negative effects on homes, which is why people often choose to treat their water through a softening system.
Why did my water bill suddenly increase? -If your home's water usage hasn't increased significantly, such as pool maintenance, lawn care, more people at home, etc.; you may have a few different potential issues. The most common cause is a leaky faucet/toilet, which can often waste 20 to 200 gallons of water per day. A less obvious problem could be a leaky pipe in the ground, or a tree root that has pierced the service line between your home and the water meter.
What to do in case of a major leak: The first thing you want to do is turn off the water. Do you know where the main water valve is in your home? If you don't know, find out; this isn't something you're looking for when your basement is flooded. Depending on the severity of the leak, you may also need to shut off the power and gas for safety. Then, you'll need to call a professional and begin removing undamaged valuables as safely as possible. While you're waiting for the professionals to arrive, call your home insurance company to initiate a claim. Your insurance agent should help you contact a water restoration service right away.
Can Chemical Drain Cleaners Be Used: Yes...and No. Available chemical drain cleaners do clean your drains by dissolving clogs, but they can (and often do) damage pipes in the process. Plastic pipes become soft, and old, corroded pipes lose their life faster. Your best bet is to use a DIY or bio-drain solution, such as plain boiled water, baking soda with lemon juice, or a salt/borax/vinegar mixture.
Why Does Our Water Heater Talk to Us? Whether it's hammering, rumbling, roaring, or banging, the noises your water heater makes can be worrisome, not to mention annoying! Many times, however, it's really nothing to worry about. Most likely, this is caused by sediment and water trapped at the bottom of the tank. When the burner turns on, it heats the trapped water, which then boils and eventually bursts as it blows through the sediment. Your best bet is to drain and flush the water heater, or give IFAN a call and we'll be happy to help you.
